Pakistan visit fruitful, says Krishna (Lead)

Talking to the media after arriving at Allama Iqbal International Airport for a day-long visit to Lahore, Krishna said that he and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar had signed pacts on visa liberalization and cultural promotion, which would help promote bilateral ties.

He arrived in this capital of the Punjab province in the last leg of his visit that began Friday.

Krishna said that dialogue between the Indian and Pakistani leadership would be fruitful as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the people of India wanted peaceful relations with Pakistan, reported Geo News.

He said that peaceful ties between between the neighbouring countries would be helpful for the prosperity of the region.

Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal was present.

The minister arrived in Lahore from Islamabad where he met his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar Saturday. An agreement on a liberalised visa regima was signed by him and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

The Indian external affairs minister, who reached Islamabad Friday, flies back to India Sunday evening.